Crosstown Relocations Involve IT From the Start

BY PATRICK TAMBURRINO, Special to The Daily News

Crosstown Concourse is exploding with activity as the mammoth building prepares to open to the public this year. On any given day, you’ll find plumbers, electricians, architects and other contractors working diligently prepare the 1.1 million-square-foot space for various office, retail and multifamily users.

What you may not notice right away are I.T. professionals working together with the construction and design groups to make sure the space is properly equipped for each tenant’s business needs. Office moves can be daunting for any sized business, and adding an almost century-old rehab into the mix increases the potential for challenges in getting the I.T. part right to serve the needs of employees and customers.

That’s why it’s important that your tech team is involved in any outfitting from the beginning stages. A little proactive planning can impact something as small as your Wi-Fi working properly on move-in day, or something as large as saving your business from shelling out thousands of dollars for last-minute infrastructure needs.

In order for a seamless transition and minimal operational interruption to occur, keep the following checklist in mind:

Check existing infrastructure in the new premises to ensure it meets your requirements. Remember that the spot where the server will run should be in a clean, air-conditioned environment. Also keep in mind that one rack of server and network equipment can take up as much if not more space than a refrigerator, which affects the amount of square footage you have left for your employees and common areas.

Look into connectivity. This is where the big spending can come into play. Do you have enough jacks in the wall for hard-wired network (Ethernet) connections, and do those locations work well with your floor plan (i.e., are the jacks in the best place in regards to furniture placement)? Do you have enough Wi-Fi access points, and are they optimally spaced and mounted for the best coverage? Ask these questions early on to ensure online access is smooth sailing after move-in.

Consider internet and phone options early. Relocating or adding new phone or internet service can take time to be operational – from 60 to 90 days on average – so include these line items in early discussions. Get those contracts and orders signed as soon as you have a new address.

Think about your office culture. Determine whether your floor plan will include flexible work spaces and if you'll want the option to move cubes around in the future. I.T. can help manage these placements and keep people organized.

Above all, make sure communication to your staff is clear before, during and after move-in, and allow time for the inevitable hiccups that will occur during the move-in process. With proper planning, I.T. can be less of a headache when you move in, so you can focus on working in your new space.

Patrick Tamburrino, the president of IT strategy, support and management firm tamburrino inc. can be reached at patrick@tamburrino.com.